Antonio Brown flashed his trademark smile and said he was honored to learn that he had just been selected to the Associated Press 2016 NFL All-Pro Team.
Brown was named first-team All-Pro for the third consecutive year, while teammates Le'Veon Bell and David DeCastro were second-team All-Pro selections. Bell was a first-team selection in 2014, while DeCastro was a first-team selection in 2015. The AP All-Pro Team is selected by a panel of 50 voters who select the top player, regardless of conference, at each position.
"I am extremely grateful, extremely thankful," said Brown. "Words can't express my gratitude, but right now I am just extremely excited to do something special with the 2016 Steelers."
Brown is looking forward to Sunday's AFC Wild Card game against the Miami Dolphins at Heinz Field, especially with the trio of Brown, Bell and Ben Roethlisberger playing in their first postseason game together.
"We are extremely excited for the opportunity to be healthy and be in the postseason," said Brown. "We are looking forward to the opportunity to put our work on display.
"Every time you are in a playoff game it is extremely special. You have to know the relevance of it. We are excited to be in the postseason. We know what it entails. If we want to be great, if we want to be special, it starts now."
Brown is a player who definitely likes to have the ball come his way, but this year, in his seventh season in the league, his focus has changed. Sure, he still wants to catch passes, but his mind is on one thing, and one thing only…winning a Super Bowl, and as he said, it starts now.
"Any time you are part of the Steelers organization you understand that it's about being a champion," said Brown. "It is a championship culture, a championship atmosphere and a championship team. All you have to do is walk in here on the second floor and you see those guys legacy on the wall, you see what it's about. Being a part of it, being here for a long time, I am excited to have an opportunity.
"This is where the journey begins. The first round starts Sunday. I am excited about the process and I am prepared and looking forward to the opportunity to go out and perform with my teammates."
